Robin didn't leave the island immediately, like the rest of the crew did. She talked to Makino for a bit, and then spent a few days with Dadan. She was determined to figure out her Captain's history. Dadan allowed her to look through the old albums she had made of the children growing up. That's where she learned about Sabo, the third brother.

"He looks familiar," Robin said, and Dadan snorted.

"He was killed by Celestial Dragons." She muttered. "A long time ago. He was eleven, and Luffy was eight. I doubt you've met him."

Robin nodded solemnly, "I understand. I must have seen someone who looked like him."

Dadan muttered something under her breath, before turning to the bandits behind her. "Well, what are you bastards standing around for?! Keep packing!"

Robin closed the album and held it out to Dadan. "Where are you going?"

"Away," Dadan said. "Since both Ace and Luffy are gone, we have no reason to stick around. I don't want to be here when Garp finds out." She looked away, but Robin had seen her watery eyes. "You can keep that album if you want to. I have others."

"Thank you," Robin said quietly. She placed it her bag and spent the rest of the day helping Dadan pack up her house. They left that night, Dadan telling Robin to feel free to stay. Robin did, and headed to High Town the next morning. She followed an overgrown path, and emerged in a junkyard.

"Ya looks pretty," A leering voice said, and Robin turned. A greasy man stood a few meters away. "What's do ya say? Come with me."

"Sorry, I have something I need to do," Robin said.

The man followed her and when he went to attack her, two hands emerged on his shoulders and grabbed his head. A quick twist and he was dead. The few others who had taken to following her as well immediately backed off and disappeared among the piles of garbage. "It's hard to believe Captain spent a lot of time here," She mused.

The guards at the entrance to High Town from the Grey Terminal wouldn't let her through, so instead of causing a scene she walked the length of the wall. She found an old hole in the wall, big enough for a ten year old. Or a thin woman. She made it through without any trouble and walked up and down the streets. Dadan had told her to come and talk to the shop owners who had been around when Luffy was a kid. They could provide more insight on his daily activities.

She entered a Ramen Shop near the rich side of town, and sat down at a table. She was one of four others in the restaurant. As she looked around, she noticed a bulletin board near the front door, and moved closer to examine it. Several wanted posters were stapled to it, along with a copy of the menu. There were several pictures too.

"Are you ready to order, ma'am?" A thick man with sideburns asked.

"Yes, but may I first ask a question?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"These boys in the picture. Who are they?"

The shop owner looked over her shoulder. "Those are old, at least thirteen years. They're there to warn customers. Those boys used to steal food. I haven't seen them in ages though."

Robin nodded, "Thirteen years, huh?"

"They're adults now, and I doubt they're still on the island. With their history of stealing, I wouldn't be surprised to hear they became pirates." The shop owner said. "Why the interest?"

"I'm looking into my Captain's childhood," Robin said. "Just out of curiosity, do you know the names of these boys?"

He shook his head, "They never stuck around long enough to chat. Others have had problems with them too."

"I don't doubt it." Robin agreed. "The blond one, his name was Sabo."

"You know them?"

"Knew," Robin corrected sadly. "And only that one." She pointed at the younger looking boy in the picture. "Although, I've heard a lot about him too." She moved her finger to the older, fleeing dark haired boy.

"Hmm, that's interesting. They spent a lot of their time in the Grey Terminal. The nobles here hated them."

"Well, that is to be expected. These two became great pirates."

A grey haired woman looked up, "Those three were a nuisance in my shop too. I sold jewelry, and they would always come and steal what I had on display. If you see them, give them heck from me!"

"Pirates, you say," The shop owner repeated Robin's words. "Like I just said, I'm not really surprised."

"That's right. You said you didn't know their names, so you wouldn't have been able to recognize their wanted posters. And this picture isn't the best quality." Robin unpinned it from the board. "The younger one with the straw hat is Monkey D. Luffy. He became the King of the Pirates. And the older one is Portgas D. Ace. He was Whitebeard's second division commander before he died."

The people in the restaurant fell silent. Then a light haired man laughed. "Those brats? Highly unlikely."

"It's the truth," Robin said. "I was in Luffy's crew. May I keep this picture?"

"If you want to," The shop owner said. "I don't want to say you're wrong or anything, but I don't think such high caliber pirates could come from here."

"They're the same person," Robin insisted, sitting down again. "He was born on the other side of this island. The people of Windmill Village will be able to back up my claim. Now, I would like to order your special, please."

"Sure."

Robin didn't stay much longer. The shop owner was able to give her a few details pertaining to her Captain's past, but he refused to believe that the King of the Pirates came from the island they were on. She wandered through High Town, many of the residents giving her disapproving looks and turning away with distaste. She tried to pay it no mind, as it had happened a lot when she was a child, and she believed she had become used to it. But after all the time spent with her friends, a pang of loneliness hit her.

One young man, looking to be a few years younger than her, paused to examine her as she passed by. "Where are you coming from?" He jumped off of the fence and went to stand in front of her.

"Nowhere you need to worry yourself with," Robin replied, walking around him and continuing on.

"You seem adventurous," He continued, turning around and stopping her again. "Not many people around here look like you. Your clothing is very rugged."

"Well, I have had many adventures." Her face seemed neutral, but she was getting annoyed. She wanted to get off the island soon. "And please do not insult the way I dress."

"I'm Stelly."

"I don't care."

"Well, you should. I'm a Noble. You have to show respect."

Robin turned and met his gaze head on with an icy glare. "I don't have to do anything I don't want to. I stopped taking orders from other people a long time ago."

Stelly took a few steps back at her angry tone. "Well, you obviously have no respect for the Government. I'm a Noble, so I can have you arrested."

"I'm a pirate." Robin said bluntly. "Any respect I might have had for the World Government vanished when I was eight. Now, if you don't get out of my way, I will move you myself." Her voice was hard, and her glare deepened. "I am not in the mood to be toyed with, and will not hesitate to kill you."

Stelly took another few steps back as Robin walked past him. "I'm serious about arresting you!" He shouted. "And if you're a pirate, then they'll have even more of a reason!"

"I am Nico Robin," Robin said. "No one would be able to arrest me. Leave me alone."

He stopped talking after that, and Robin went on her way. At the harbor, a group of Marines tried to stop her from boarding a ship. Robin noticed Stelly watching smugly from the shore. She made sure he could see the disembodied arms sprouting from the bodies of the Marines, dislocating their spines and rendering them immobile. The sailors aboard the ship she boarded gave her a wide berth. Robin walked to the stern of the ship and stared at Stelly.

She lowered her bag to her feet and leaned against the railing. Beside Stelly, a flutter of petals formed a body, and he jumped. His head turned from the original Robin to the clone. "I am a Strawhat Pirate," The clone told Stelly. "It is not wise to go against me, especially when I have done nothing harmful to you."

She turned away and her double vanished in a cloud of sakura petals.

She crossed over into West Blue, and continued her search for the Rio Poneoglyph. She had a promise to keep. Not many clues were in West Blue, despite scouring all the resources it had to offer. She stowed away on a Marine vessel and crossed into the Grand Line through the Calm Belt. The ship stopped halfway through the Calm Belt, and Robin donned a naval uniform to investigate.

"What are we doing?" She asked a lower ranked officer. "Why have we stopped?"

"You don't know?" He asked dreamily, staring off in the distance with a lustful expression on his face. "Well, you're a girl, so I guess you wouldn't care so much. We're trying to convince Boa Hancock to return to headquarters for a mandatory meeting concerning Monkey D. Luffy."

"That's right," Another officer said, approaching them. "We're hoping she'll come. She does have an obsession with the man. We could use her to draw him out."

"I'm pretty sure Luffy had a crush on Nami," Robin said to herself, but received a strange look from the lower ranked officer.

A few hours later, a large ship pulled by two sea monsters approached. Many of the sailors ran to the railing, trying to get a glimpse of the beautiful Warlord. Robin stood back, leaning herself against the main mast as the Warlord came into view. The Captain of the ship looked away as Hancock came into view. Robin watched in curiosity as the screaming men were turned to stone. The Empress stepped onto one of the monsters' head and was lowered to the Marine ship.

Flicking her hair over her shoulders, she walked through the statues and stopped in front of the Captain. "Why have I been summoned?" She demanded, both hands on her hips. "I am not one to follow orders given by men." She spat the last word.

"All of the Warlords of the Sea have been summoned to a meeting," The Captain said. "It's about the King of the Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy."

Her demeanor changed immediately, losing her posture and clapping her hands to her now reddened cheeks. "My Luffy?"

"He's gone off the radar," The Captain said. "And we need to come up with ideas on how to track him. He is considered extremely dangerous, and we want to be able to keep an eye on his movements."

"As long as I can see my little monkey again," Hancock gushed, and then grew serious again. "I have conditions I want met." She glanced over at Robin. "I see you have brought a woman this time. That was a smart move. I require my meals precisely at eight, noon, and five. And I need a room where I will not be viewed by those unruly men."

The Captain bowed low. "As you wish. The Captain's cabin is already set up for you, and we shall deliver your meals on time. Do you wish anything else?"

Hancock's heels clicked on the wood as she walked to the cabin, motioning for Robin to follow her. When they were in the privacy of the cabin, Boa Hancock lowered herself elegantly onto the couch. "You, Marine girl. I want something cool to drink."

Robin ignored her and sat down on a chair. "I'm not a Marine, Hancock."

The woman tilted her head at Robin, "Then what are you doing on this ship? Are you a stowaway? If so, get out of this room."

"I just needed a ride into the Grand Line," Robin shrugged. "I had no idea they were stopping here. But for the effort of keeping up appearances, I will serve you for now."

Hancock offered up a smug smile, "Is my beauty too much to defy?"

Robin stood, making her way over to the door. "It's not that. You knew my Captain, and I owe you a debt of gratitude for helping him." Robin closed her eyes. "I need to talk to you when I return, and I'm afraid you're not going to like the news."

"News?"

"Yes. Now, what did you request? I shall fetch it for you."

She returned a few minutes later, placing the tray with Hancock's request on the table. Hancock reached for the glass and took a long drink. Then she turned her gaze to Robin. "You don't seem like the usual stowaway."

"I'm not a stowaway," Robin said, crossing her legs and resting an elbow on them. "I infiltrated this ship to get to the Grand Line. I have a goal I want to accomplish, and it would take too long to go to Reverse Mountain and then travel up the Grand Line again."

"So what are you then?"

"A pirate."

Hancock laughed, "A pirate stowing away on a Marine ship? Where's your crew? Couldn't you just go with them? Or were you abandoned?"

"I was not abandoned," Robin said harshly. "My Captain took me in, and risked his life to make sure I was safe." She looked down at her hands, now resting in her lap. Her hands were shaking. "I'm not with my crew because my Captain died. He saved us."

Hancock scoffed, "A man is not as strong as a woman. I would never let myself die like that, for the likes of those beneath me."

"But that's where he was different," Robin said quietly. "He never considered himself above us. He never acted like a Captain either."

"Then he was weak."

"He was far from that," Robin whispered.

Hancock never asked about the news she was going to give, and after talking with the Warlord, Robin wasn't as willing to share her information. She continued waiting on Hancock, who wasn't willing to give up her female companion and kept her secret safe. When they docked at Sabaody so the Empress could attend the gathering, Robin disembarked. She shed her stolen Marine uniform and wandered into the Archipelago.

Hancock found her half an hour after she had left, blocking Robin's path with crossed arms. "Just who are you?"

"I do not need to say."

"I'm ordering you to tell me."

Hancock's phrase was met with a glare. "I only take orders from my Captain. Since he has left this world I take orders from no one. You can ask all you want, but you will not get the answer from me unless I choose to give it myself."

Hancock let out a gasp, her ears turning red in rage. "I allowed you to stay aboard that ship. You owe me."

"I could have taken care of them if they had figured out who I was." Robin turned around and began walking. There was nothing from Hancock, and Robin looked back. She was staring after her. "Hancock, my name is Nico Robin. I believe once you figure out who I am, you will understand my loyalties."

Hancock let the ignorant woman leave, and located the nearest Marine, ordering him to escort her to the nearest person who could get her to Mariejois. Then, sitting in an elegantly decorated chair in the Marine Headquarters, she realized who Nico Robin was. And then the woman's words came ringing through her mind. I'm not with my crew because my Captain died. He saved us. Luffy was dead. She would never see him again. Her scream rung through the city. No one could console her as she wept. The meeting was postponed.

None of the Marines ever figured out what had caused her to cry. They had only just started listing off the names of the Strawhat Pirates.

Robin was long gone by the time the meeting was over. She traveled into the New World, staying in the shadows and out of the attention of the Marines and World Government. She found a lead on a tiny island near the Grand Line, where Roger and his crew had stopped at years before on their way to Raftel. She had never been to this island before, and found it interesting. She wasn't welcomed when she arrived, but she wasn't turned away either.

"Are you a traveler?" A young bartender asked, as Robin sat down at the counter.

"Of a sort," Robin said, smiling at the young woman. "May I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"What do you know of the Rio Poneoglyph?" Robin asked.

The girl frowned, "I've heard of it. My grandmother always talked about a man who found it. His name was Ray, or something like that."

"Rayleigh?" Robin asked, and she nodded.

"Yes, that's the name. He was part of Rogers Crew, I think. Grandma thinks highly of him. She said that he hated talking about it, and always looked sad when he did."

"Do you know why?"

She shook her head, "Sorry. Grandma might know though. She lives on the last house on the next street, if you want to go talk to her. Tell her that Megan sent you, and she might be willing to talk."

Robin bowed politely, standing. "Thank you, Megan. This means a lot to me."

Megan shrugged, "As long as you're happy. I mean, you're a pirate, right?"

"How did you know that?" Robin asked, shouldering her bag.

"Because pirates are the only ones who visit this island," She replied. "The Marines are too focused on the Pirate King and the Supernovas to care about small islands like this one."

Robin smiled sadly, "Marines need to sort out their priorities if they want to continue upholding what they call justice. But I'm not here to plunder or steal, if that makes you feel safer. I never had the taste for it."

Megan looked surprised, "A pirate not here to steal? That's new."

Robin laughed for the first time in a while, "Well, me and my friends weren't the usual pirates. My name is Nico Robin."

Megan showed no recognition at the name, something Robin was grateful for. Megan waved her off as she left, finding her grandmother's house easily. She knocked and waited patiently as someone shuffled around behind the door, and it eventually creaked open. The woman had dark grey hair, and must have been beautiful in her younger years. Her dark eyes examined Robin, and then she asked, "What do you want?"

"I want to ask you about the Rio Poneoglyph." Robin said, getting straight to the point. "Megan said you know a little about it?"

The old woman stared at Robin for a few moments, then let out a sigh and stepped aside. "Please come in."

Robin did as she asked, entering a small kitchen and sitting at the table when the old woman pointed at it. The house was small, but well kept. The old woman moved slowly, leaning on her cane as she opened a cabinet and pulled out a teapot. Robin stood immediately, "Please, let me do that for you."

"Nonsense," The old woman spat. "Just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm not capable." She waved her cane. "I know the people call me the old grouch, but I am able! I am Gwen Feldspar!" Robin sat down as Gwen shuffled to the sink and started to make a pot of tea. "Well, that's my name. Who are you?"

"My name is Robin," Robin said, accepting the steaming cup Gwen offered. "Now, about the Rio Poneoglyph…"

"Be patient," Gwen snapped, raising the cup to her lips. "You young people are always in a rush. Give me a good excuse and maybe I'll tell you." Robin fell silent, and Gwen laughed, "Can't think of one?"

"It's not that," Robin said. "I'm just trying to find a good way to word it."

Gwen tilted her head curiously, watching conflicting emotions cross over her guest's face. Finally, Robin reached into her bag and pulled out a single photograph and handed it to her. Gwen looked down, recognizing the flag at the front immediately. The Pirate King. "Where did you get this?" She asked, voice full of awe.

"Nami gave it to me, before we all left." Robin said simply. "Take another look."

Gwen did, and when she spotted Robin's smiling face in the photograph, her jaw dropped. "You…"

"I am Nico Robin, the seventh member to join the Strawhat Pirates. I need to find the Rio Poneoglyph to keep a promise to Luffy." Robin explained. "He told us to live out our dreams, and mine is to find the Rio Poneoglyph and learn the true history. I want to find it before I die, so I can return to his grave and tell him I did it."

"This…" Gwen looked up at Robin. "You're…" She lowered the photograph, sliding it towards Robin. "This is enough. The Rio Poneoglyph, right?"

Robin nodded, "Yes. That's what I want to find."

Gwen smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Rayleigh and I… We had a bit of a relationship. Megan is his granddaughter too. My own son, his son, left to become a pirate. I… I haven't heard from him in years. Left poor Megan alone when her mother died. She was only five."

"That's terrible," Robin said, "Horrible, in fact. He hasn't written?"

Gwen lost her smile and shook her head. "No. But we're not talking about my past. We're talking about Rayleigh. He mentioned the Rio Poneoglyph a couple of times, always saying it's north of hopeless."

"North of hopeless?" Robin questioned. "What does that mean?"

Gwen just shrugged, her thin shoulders rising and falling slowly. "That's all he said. North of hopeless."

"But he's been to Raftel," Robin said. "Him and Roger explored the entire Grand Line. He said that he found it. Saying it's hopeless isn't… it isn't right. If he did it, it's not hopeless!"

"I don't know," Gwen said. "You've met him?" She gave a dry laugh. "If you see him again, give him heck for me."

Robin nodded. "Thank you. Even if it's only a little, every clue helps. I plan on returning to Sabaody, and that's where Rayleigh usually is. I will harass him until he comes back."

"Thank you," Gwen said, smiling. "And good luck."

Robin didn't return to Sabaody right away, moving on further into the New World. She found a few more clues, one of them pointing to the Calm Belt, and another with the word hopeless in it again. "He said you need to be hopeless first," Was what the man said, laughing drunkenly before passing out. Robin kept that in mind, even though the source was unreliable.

But the Calm Belt… That came from an old member of Roger's crew. The boy was thirteen when he joined, replacing Shanks and Buggy as the cabin boy when they moved up the ranks. He was fifteen when he was dropped off on the island as the crew split up. An older man now, with a family, he gladly gave her the information once he found out she was part of the current Pirate King's crew.

"I wasn't there when the crew actually found it," He said. "But I asked Rayleigh and he mentioned the Calm Belt once. And something else. North of hopeless. Wasn't able to get much else out of him. He hated talking about it."

"Yes, that's what Gwen said. Thank you for your time." Robin excused herself, declining the tea his wife offered. She walked down to the harbor and boarded the passenger ship. A particular ship leaving the harbour caught her eye, painted a bright silver and gold. She smiled at it, as it flashed in the sunlight. It docked as her ship left, and it faded from her mind as time passed.

She made for Sabaody and arrived a year later, meeting Rayleigh and yelling at him until she watched him leave for the island Gwen was at. Shakky laughed, thanking Robin for getting him off of his ass. According to the bar owner, he had fallen into a depressed state after the crew had informed him of Luffy's death. A week later, Robin walked out of the guest room and was greeted by a grim faced Shakky. She looked up at the sound of the door and closed her eyes.

"There's a fleet of Marine ships on the other side of the island." She explained solemnly. "If you want to enter the Calm Belt, it's best to use one of theirs. The Sea Stone coating will keep you safer than one that doesn't have anything."

Robin agreed, sneaking in that night and taking one of the smaller ones.

Now alone, Robin sat on the railing and stared out over the ocean. Since the ship belonged to a Marine Captain, the bottom was coated in sea stone. Numerous arms covered the ship, pulling lines, adjusting the sails, and manning the helm. She dug around the navigation room, pulling out charts and maps until she found one of the Calm Belt. There were no names, but there were circles indicating islands. It looked very rough, but usable.

Entering the Calm Belt was easy, but she was on constant alert. Sea kings roared in the distance, and she sometimes saw large dark shadows flitting across the ocean's surface. When she came to the first island, she was immensely relieved. The people there were friendly, but hesitated in welcoming her. It was unheard of that anyone came to the island. They themselves were the second generation of a cruise ship that had drifted ashore and built a settlement.

She asked about the Poneoglyph, but no one had ever heard of it. After resupplying, she set out again. There were several more uninhabited islands, and then a large island with several villages and a town. She docked alongside a short cliff and walked into town. It was bustling, with vendors selling their wares, people shouting and weaving though the crowds, carts trying to push through. Robin liked it. After spending so much time alone, she was glad for the amount of people around her.

When she stopped at a stall selling maps, the vendor noticed that she wasn't a local. "I haven't seen you around before," He told Robin. "Did you get trapped here too?"

"I'm not trapped," Robin replied, picking up a better quality chart and comparing it to the one she had. "I'm looking for an island in the Calm Belt."

"That sounds dangerous."

"It is very dangerous," Robin agreed. "But I'm close. Tell me, does the phrase north of hopeless sound familiar?"

"North of hopeless? That sounds depressing. But I can tell you that some people call this island here Hopeless." The vendor said. "But its real name is Getzito."

Robin frowned, "This island is called Hopeless?"

"Only by some," The vendor said. "And by the older folks. They were the first people to land here, and thought they were stuck. They thought their situation was hopeless, hence the name."

Robin felt hope blossom in her chest, "Do you know what's north of here?"

"Just more of the Calm Belt," The vendor said, gesturing in that direction. "I've never left the island. Why?"

"It might be there," She said, mostly to herself. She dropped a few coins on the table and rolled up the map. "Thank you for the information. I am very grateful."

"What are you going to do?" He asked her, watching as she opened her bag and carefully place the chart inside.

"Head for the island north of hopeless," She said, smiling. She left, wandering around the town for a few more hours, taking in the crowds and people before heading off alone again. When she arrived at the harbor, she recognized the vendor standing in front of the ship she had stolen. There was a crowd of people, too. All of them seemed curious, as visitors were rare.

The vendor spotted her at the back of the crowd and made his way over. "Hi." He held out a rolled parchment. "I was looking over another copy of the map you bought, and there's no island north of here labeled. But this one does have an island there."

Robin took the offered map and unrolled it, spotting the small island hand drawn on a printed chart. "Where did you get this?"

The vendor shrugged. "Found it in the old records. Dad said an outsider gave it to him over forty years ago."

"Thank you. What's your name?" Robin asked.

"Raff," He said, shoving his hands in his pockets and shrugging. "What's yours?"

"Robin," Robin said. She started pushing through the people, making her way to the stolen ship. Raff followed, and once Robin arrived at the gangplank, he smiled up at her.

"Can I come with you?"

"Why would you want to do that?" Robin asked.

"Because it sounds like fun," He said. "And I've been pouring over those maps my entire life. I want to see where they lead."

"I have a few places I want to go first," Robin said, as she walked up and vanished from sight.

Raff grinned and darted up after her, stopping momentarily to take in the numerous hands moving around the ship before plowing forward and helping Robin cast off.

Raff turned out to be an excellent navigator, and they arrived at the hand drawn island less than a week later. Robin jumped off the railing before they stopped, splashing in the shallow surf until she reached the beach, and then vanished into the jungle.

The island wasn't very big, and after half an hour of walking Robin came to a clearing. Thick moss covered the entire ground, and Robin took a few cautious steps forward, not wanting to hit anything hidden underneath it. But the ground below the moss was surprisingly firm. Robin frowned and bent down, grabbing a thick vine and pulling upwards.

Dark grey rock was revealed underneath it, shining an almost metallic silver in the sunlight. Robin began to get excited, a strange satisfaction building in her chest as she pushed aside more green and ran a hand over a flawless engraving. The ancient language. This was it.

"RAFF!" She shouted at the top of her voice, countless arms appearing and starting to tear away the vines and toss them into the jungle. An hour later Raff appeared, and the clearing was almost clear. The entire Poneoglyph was buried, the engraved side facing up. She was shaking in excitement as she wiped away the grey dirt and revealed a pure silver surface.

He stared at it with awe, and Robin tore a notebook from her bag and began scribbling madly. Her smile lit up her entire face. "It's been over thirty years," She said breathlessly, laughing and flipping a page before dropping the book and kneeling, tracing one of the characters. "The engraving is exquisite! None of the other Poneoglyphs had this much craftsmanship put into it. Even the one on the Sky Island. Incredible!"

Raff sat back against a tree on the edge of the clearing, watching Robin fawn over the Poneoglyph.

They didn't leave for several months, every night they returned to the ship and Robin continuously reviewed her notes. Raff was able to persuade her to come away from her notes a few times, but apart from that, Robin was obsessed. The first month was spent translating the entire Poneoglyph, and the rest was spent documenting it and recording it.

"I need to get this out to the world," Robin told him one night, after Raff had dragged her away from her desk. They were lying on the bed, Robin resting her head on Raff's chest.

"What do you want to do then?" Raff asked. "The government will just remove any book you write. You said that they don't want to let the people know what happened in that void."

Robin laughed, "Of course not. What I learned… It's incredible. It reveals so much about the world. Answers so many questions. Do you know why compasses don't work in the Grand Line? The answer is there. Do you know how the Celestial Dragons came into power? I know now. It was all a conspiracy to keep people under control." She sighed. "That's why they put a bounty on my head when I was a kid. They were scared that I had found evidence in the old records in the Ohara Library."

Raff nodded, taking note. He was learning so much about her past. Even though it was just the two of them, talking to her kept him entertained. What he liked the most was when she spoke of her time as a pirate.

Raff placed a hand on her head, threading his fingers through her hair and she snuggled closer. "You found it."

"I did," Robin said, sounding proud.

She didn't know how they found her, but the Marines arrived with cannons blazing. Raff shouted in warning, and Robin dived to the deck as a cannonball flew over her head and crashed into the mast. There was a huge crack as the mast started splintering. It toppled over, crashing into the water.

The Marine ship rammed Robin's, and officers started jumping over and running. "Kill them! Shoot! Slash! Make sure they're dead!"

Robin heard Raff cry out in pain, and she turned to see Raff impaled on the end of a sword. He slumped forward, his eyes going blank as the sword was torn out. He fell with a loud thump, lying sprawled out. Blood pooled. Robin saw red. She crossed her arms, her glare promising death for anyone who crossed her. And every Marine here had done just that.

Hands sprouted out of shoulders and backs, grabbing heads and twisting, clawing, tearing, and finally breaking their necks. When she finished her rampage, there was only one left. He was trembling, staring around him with wide eyes.

"You are a bastard," Robin growled. "You and all the other Marines are trying to control the world. You are trying to take away all the freedom people have. You don't deserve to live."

"… You killed them… all…"

"Does that matter?" Robin demanded. "They were in cahoots with the people who wanted to destroy the world! Now I know why you hate pirates so much. We have the freedom you're trying to take away."

"You… You're a pirate?"

Robin knelt down and placed her hands on either side of his head. "Yes. I'm a Strawhat."

His eyes widened, "The crew that vanished! Where the hell did you go?!"

Robin laughed humorously. "Your crew is lying dead around you and my crew is the only thing you can think of? You deserve to die. Not Luffy."

"Strawhat?"

"I would trade your life for his, but you're not worth as much as him." She twisted violently, and the Marine fell. She closed her eyes, turning to Raff one last time. He was dead. Tears fell. First her mother, and then Luffy. Now Raff. People she cared about always ended up dead.

She placed a hand on her lower stomach, biting her lip hard. If she couldn't stop people close to her from dying, how was she going to raise a child?

She buried Raff beside the Poneoglyph, and took the Marine's ship.

By the time she reached East Blue, she was large and the baby was ready to be born. She stopped on an island close to Reverse Mountain and ran into Dadan.

"Robin? Is that you?" The woman asked. She looked better. Thinner, and she had lost her scowl.

"Hello, Dadan." Robin greeted. "How are you?"

"I've been better," Dadan admitted. "But you look good. Are you having a baby?"

Robin placed a hand on her swollen stomach. "Yes. And it's due soon. You wouldn't happen to know any midwives, would you?"

"There are several at the local hospital," Dadan said. "I can admit you."

Robin nodded gratefully, "Lead the way."

Dadan brought her to the local hospital, which wasn't that big. The doctors were friendly, and the nurses made sure she was comfortable. Three days later, contractions started. Dadan stayed by her side as she struggled through labor. Crying filled the room as Robin heaved in air. Dadan shook out her hand, the blood flow cut off by Robin's grip.

"It's a girl," The midwife said, cutting the umbilical cord and cleaning the baby with towels. She handed the baby to Robin, and the child immediately latched onto Robin's nipple. "Let her feed," The midwife said as Robin started to shift. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I… don't know," Robin said truthfully, staring down at the tiny face. A tuft of black hair covered her small head, and when she opened her eyes Robin stared into her own. The child… Her daughter… Looked just like her.

"What are you going to call her?" Dadan asked.

"Olivia," Robin decided instantly. "Her name is Olivia. But… I can't call her Nico. I can't do that to her."

"So…?"

Robin thought of Raff. And how he came with her to find the Rio Poneoglyph. She liked him, but they hadn't been together long enough for those feelings to intensify. But he was Olivia's father. And he didn't have a last name. But he had helped her find…

"Rio," Robin said. "Her name is Rio Olivia."

Dadan smiled, and Robin held out Olivia for Dadan to hold. She took the baby and cradled her carefully. Olivia cooed and held up a tiny fist. "She's beautiful. She looks like you."

"I hope that doesn't affect her future," Robin said.

"Well, you're going to affect her future no matter what you do," Dadan said. "You're her mother."

Robin shook her head. "I can't. I'm not fit to be a mother. The Marines are constantly after me. I can't raise her safely. People I care about have a bad habit of dying when they're with me."

"You can't leave her alone," Dadan said.

"No," Robin agreed. "I can't. You can take care of her."

Dadan looked shocked, jerking back slightly. The movement startled Olivia, who started crying. Dadan started rocking her.

"You're good with children," Robin said. "Even if you don't know it."

Dadan looked down at the baby, her eyes shining. "Are… Are you sure? It's your daughter. Your child."

"I only want what's best," Robin said. "You can give her more than I could." Robin placed a hand on Dadan's arm. "Keep her safe for me. She's a Strawhat Pirate by lineage."

"Luffy," Dadan whispered to herself, before looking over at Robin. "I will give her a good life."

"Thanks."

While she was recovering, Robin read the paper to pass the time. That's where she found out about Usopp's execution.

Robin had two stops to make now. As soon as the doctor declared her fit to leave, Robin was gone. She didn't say goodbye to Dadan, who had taken Olivia home with her. Crossing into East Blue, she made her way to Loguetown for the first time in her life.

There were children standing next to News Stands and handing out free newspapers. Robin took one.

Robin's face showed no emotion, but her hands were trembling as she lifted the newspaper and focused on the tiny print beside the picture. It told of his exploits, his status as one of the Emperors, members of his crew that had bounties, and any possibilities on where he came from. Robin laughed at the theories, and wondered if Usopp would admit to being Luffy's friend. She doubted it, knowing Usopp well enough to want to die under his own name and not someone else's.

It hurt to see so many people cheering for the death of her friend. Someone who had risked his life to save hers. Walking through, she found the prison and crept in. She found the cell Usopp was in, finding him asleep on the filthy stone ground. Scribbling her farewell on a scrap of paper, she dropped it through the bars and left.

Two days later, she watched the execution from her hotel window, which had an excellent view of the town center. She heard him shout, and then watched the flash of silver steel as the blades were brought down. She was abruptly reminded of the metallic ship she had seen while in the New World.

A loud cheer rose, and Robin looked away, tears in her eyes. It was the first time she had cried since they buried Luffy.

She waited until most of the spectators had left the island, deeming it safe almost two weeks later. His grave was small, but there was a bundle of wilted flowers and a dagger lying in front of it, and an X carved into the stone. She covered her own scar with her hand, squeezing and digging her nails into skin until she felt blood.

"Damn pirate," A voice said, and Robin looked towards the sound. A young couple stood at the fence, looking over in disgust. The girl shook her head. "When will they learn? Nothing good comes from it."

"How would you know?" Robin asked, and they both seemed to realize she was there.

"They kill and rape and steal." She said. "Nothing good happens to them. They die."

"They make true friends," Robin said. "They form unbreakable bonds. They risk their lives for each other. They find people they can trust. What's wrong with that?"

"Trusting only leads to being stabbed in the back," The young man said.

"That's not necessarily true," Robin told him. "Usopp had true friends."

"He was a Captain. His crew had to listen to him." The girl said.

Robin laughed, "And what about the previous crew he was a part of?"

Both of them looked taken aback. "He wasn't part of another crew. No one knows what he did before he became a pirate."

"If no one knows, how can they say that?" Robin asked, drawing more blank looks from the couple. She sighed and knelt down, tracing the X. "He was my friend."

"You knew him?" The young man asked.

"Yes. Very well. He, and my other friends… We were almost like a family. Just the nine of us." Robin smiled fondly. "He had a bounty too, but it wasn't under his name. It's a shame Captain didn't know. At least he achieved his dream." She stood up straight. "And he can tell Captain all about it now. I wonder if he visited his grave before he was caught…"

"Pirates don't have dreams," The girl sneered.

"Yes they do. That's why they're pirates. The Marines would never allow someone that much freedom." Robin smiled at the young couple. "He achieved his. Now it's time for me to achieve mine."

She left them standing at the fence, walking away without another word.

"IT'S NICO ROBIN!" A Marine shouted, and Robin glanced in his direction. When they made eye contact, the young recruit started shaking.

"WHAT?!" Another man shouted, this one wearing metals and showing the rank of Captain. "WHAT'S SHE DOING HERE?!"

"CAPTURE HER! WE CAN EXECUTE HER TOO!"

Robin walked through the mess of Marines, "I was visiting an old friend," She told the Captain as she walked passed him. The Marines behind her struggled to escape the arms that had appeared from nowhere and restrained them. "Please show his grave respect. I wouldn't want to get mad."

The Marine yelped as arms sprouted from his shoulders and arms, holding his own tight against his body. No one was able to move, and they watched as a Strawhat Pirate boarded their ship and set sail alone.

She docked in High Town. She dressed for the occasion this time, and didn't draw any suspicion from the locals. One man saw through her facade. And Robin's heart almost stopped. Those tattoos belonged to Dragon.

"Nico Robin," he said, his deep voice cutting through any other noise. "It has been too long."

"It has, Dragon." Robin replied. "What are you doing here?"

"Business." He said simply. "And you? I heard the Strawhat crew has gone off the radar. No one has heard from them in years. My son's bounty is continuously rising. As are the rest of yours. How is he?"

He sounded genuinely concerned. "He is considered the Pirate King," Robin said, struggling to keep her voice from cracking.

"Anything else?" Dragon asked, his tone casual but his eyes demanding.

"Yes," Robin said. "There is one more thing. Follow me."

Dragon seemed confused, even if he didn't show it, and followed Robin as she made her way towards the Grey Terminal, and then into the jungle. He didn't complain as they walked up the mountain. He didn't say anything at all, in fact. And that was starting to annoy Robin. She slowed when they reached Luffy's old tree house, and then again when they passed Dadan's old home.

"Are you alright?" Dragon asked, as she stopped. His first words the entire trip. "You're shaking."

"Sorry," Robin said. "Dadan used to live here, and she's the one that raised Luffy and Ace. And now she's raising my daughter."

"You have a child?" Dragon asked.

"She would be five months old now." Robin said. "I'm sorry for not telling you this sooner."

"Tell me what?" There was worry creeping into the edge of his voice. "What are we doing here?" Robin walked forward and walked through the thinning trees. Dragon's breath stopped when he saw the grave. "What's this?" He demanded. His voice was rising, panic setting in.

"Your son's grave," Robin said bluntly, walking forward and kneeling in front of the grave. She reached into her bag and drew out the piece of the Rio Poneoglyph she had removed from the original. The character carved on it translated to 'promise'. She lay it beside the Wado Ichimonji and sat back, picking up the locket sitting on the hat and opening it.

Dragon watched her smile, tears starting to fall and she closed it and returned it to the grave top.

"Thank you, Luffy. You gave me a reason to live." She stood up and walked back to the trees, pausing beside Dragon for a moment. "Take as much time as you need."

Robin waited in Dadan's old home as Dragon stood in front of the grave. He came back a while later, his eyes slightly red. "When?"

"Halfway through the New World," Robin said. "He gave up his life to save ours." Robin drew the old photo album Dadan had given her from her bag and handed it to Dragon. "This is his childhood. Dadan gave it to me. Since you never knew him, get to know him."

Dragon took it, shoving it into a pocket in his cloak and grabbed Robin around the neck, slamming her against the wall. Robin's eyes widened in panic as Dragon leaned in. "Then don't waste your life." He released Robin, who rubbed her neck and slid down the wall. Dragon stalked out of the room and didn't look back.

She didn't waste her life. She wrote a book, publishing it under a different name, describing her adventures with the Strawhat Pirates. But she never used names. She used her perspective, talking about how much the people she became close to changed her life for the better, and tried to insert as much of the true history as possible when the situation came about. If she published it as fiction, the government would have no reason to remove it from the world.

She dedicated it to her crew, Raff, and Olivia.